A beauty salon owner has been fined £6,000 for offering potentially dangerous treatments without a licence.

Kiran's Hair and Beauty, in Staines Road, near Hounslow Heath, was illegally offering laser hair removal and semi-permanent make-up, which is similar to tattooing.

Both treatments can cause serious harm if not carried out by a qualified professional who is registered with the council.

Kiran Jaura appeared at Feltham Magistrates' Court on Monday (March 16), where she admitted two counts of offering special treatments without a licence and one of contravening a prohibition notice preventing such work from being carried out.

The 53-year-old, of Staines Road, was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,539.

She was prosecuted after council officers visited the salon in July last year, during a series of inspections at beauty salons across the borough which had not applied for special treatment licences.

Officers found health and safety measures at her salon were inadequate, with no way of preventing unexpected access to the laser treatment room and no evidence any therapist there had been adequately trained.

The council served Ms Jaura with a notice banning her from offering either treatment, which was fixed to the laser treatment machine to alert customers.

But when officers returned a month later they found the notice had been removed and the treatment remained on offer, potentially exposing customers and staff to harm.

Councillor Richard Foote, cabinet member for community protection, said: "This proactive approach of unannounced visits to beauty salons by our health and safety licensing officers has uncovered some real horrors – and a lack of responsibility from those in charge.

"Despite being warned of the industry rules and regulations, Ms Jaura continued to put her customers at risk. Her penalty reflects the severity of her actions.

"Let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks they can get away with such blatant disregard; we will uncover your errors and you will be held to account."

All businesses which offer and provide special treatments must be registered with the council. For more information visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/licensing.